At the Pisces New Moon I began writing Astrology Mon Ami. Despite the diffuseness of Pisces I managed to communicate with the collective psyche and get my words on-line. Then we had the pioneering Aries cycle. I was taken outside myself in an exciting way, full of new inspiration, energy and ideas. Now, we are in Taurus, the sign of my Moon, my home, in the eighth house of transformation and zilch! I have nothing to say. My Mercury, the planet of communication is here, tied to my Moon. Together, in fine Taurean fashion, they have decided to have a little lie down. Just sit around and smell the flowers.

Now, this brings to mind my favourite Greek myth. My ‘go to’ myth whenever I need guidance or understanding, the story of Demeter and Persephone. In Homer’s ‘Hymn to Demeter’ we start with Persephone, ‘the one with the delicate ankles’ out picking flowers in her field when Hades, god of the underworld abducts her, taking her to his underground kingdom. Usually in this myth I associate with Demeter, her mother, ‘she who glories in the harvest’. Today I recognise that when I have my Taurean ‘lie down’ in the Eighth House (ruled by Pluto/Hades) the ground shifts below me and I sink deep into the nether regions. I am Persephone, claimed by the Earth.

Mercury, the ruler of my chart also gets pulled down into the depths. And so I lose my voice. This can happen literally as in laryngitis. More often I see it play out as a symptom of introversion. Recently I have been celebrating that with the discovery of writing this blog; I have found a way to communicate with others, without the need to find words in the moment of conversation. Now I feel time’s weight as I find no inclination to post. Still, I feel an urgency to maintain contact with the outer world, in order to honour my commitments. I have journaled extensively but found that the script is too unpicked to make any coherent sense to another. Demeter’s role is to keep the Earth fertile providing food for its inhabitants. In her grief stricken search for her missing daughter she is unable to maintain her creative role and the ground becomes barren.

The strength of Mercury in this position is the capacity for research as the mind goes deep. It follows questions to the bowels of a subject, always seeking the thread that will lead it to mine treasure, and bring to the surface a gem of polished insight. This I have been doing as well; excavating, following the vein that may lead me to Pluto’s treasure chest. There is so much pure potential down here, awaiting discovery.

In Greek Myth, Hermes/Mercury is the only God who can go into the realm of the dead and return to the surface. Cutting to the final scenes of our story, this messenger is sent from the Gods above to negotiate with Hades for Persephone’s return. My Mercury is not yet there. Maybe at the full moon there may be some light, meanwhile the First Quarter Moon in Leo will happen in the next day or two and maybe I will gain some light from this Sun.

As I lie here with laptop on knees I look out over our field which climbs a hill. I can see the trees growing on the horizon. I realise I am far below them. My environment echoes my musings. Here I am, comfortable in my repose below the roots; seeking under~ standing.

This post reflects my personal journey because of the unique position of my Taurus Moon and Mercury in my chart. It may or may not have resonances for you. In a Taurus Moon we can see where we have slowed to rest. What seeds are you tending that were born in the last cycle? What are you valuing? What is important to you that you do not want to lose? How are you claiming your value in the world around you? This is where you identify what is yours and how much your talents are worth. There is treasure where your Taurus is found, waiting for you to utilise it.

Image: I have not been able to find the artist for this image. The link I offer here is of a beautiful site with art and writings associated with the subject of myth and Persephone

Today, the Moon and the Sun come together in Taurus for the next chapter of our story. The Aries seed has begun sprouting. Towards the end of the Aries cycle I found myself exploring more and more energy work. I was on fire with the potential of higher vibrations and the thrill of where they could take me. I found myself exploring the promise of new territories in opening up our human potential.

Whilst pioneering this joyous energy I found I was continually being called back to earth to deal with the mechanics of my environment, which didn’t seem to be coping as well with the increasing energy. I mean this literally. My watch stopped, no it hasn’t, yes it has. Not the battery, it needs a mechanical overhaul. I have lost all sense of time. My car, supposedly all fixed, seems to be having trouble recharging the battery and so regularly needs a jump start. Fridge fan going crazy. Water pump thumping and spurting. Electricity pulsing. Computer cords powering up only sometimes. Blender… internet connection….showers…Too many things to take seriously. I keep needing to go outside to ground myself and ramp up my energy to maintain my equilibrium.

I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of cheery Aries or Mars in Virgo types; men that fix things! I am in awe of their clear rational explanation of how things work as they proceed to make them better. However I have had to resort to a more esoteric explanation of why things… don’t work, do, don’t work …all at once. Speedy Mercury has returned to Fiery Aries and has been moving closer to Electric Uranus whilst forming a tense aspect (inconjunct) with direct Mars, taking deliberate steps forward in Fix It Virgo. As I am developing my own ability to have more and more energy vibrating through me, the mechanics of my world seem to be dealing with the same challenges. Lots of recharging required.

How does all this relate to our Taurus New Moon? Today we start on a new journey. Taurus feels the need to slow down. It knows all those Aries energies may be wasted; spurted out on barren ground. Taurus will ensure they remain fertilised. She desires to ground, maintain and make certain nothing is lost. Taurus is not interested in always focussing forward, she wishes to engage the present moment. She knows that craziness lies in forever rushing without stopping to smell the roses, lie on the grass and fully indulge the senses. Taurus asks us to take some time out, assess where we are, celebrate all that we have and ensure that what was planted is growing. Everything has its own energy and its own will to fulfil it’s potential. Time to take pleasure in letting things be.

Aries was the time for activations. Taurus is the time for allowing what was born to become. Everything has been born for a reason and has worth and value in the scheme of things. They need to find a home in our body and in our life.

I find myself wanting to explore energy in more concrete forms. I feel drawn to play with crystals and essential oils. I want to enjoy flowers and the beauty of nature. Colour. Birdsong. It is time for massages and some sweet loving. Naps. Time to re-acquaint myself with delicious food and drink. To breathe and sigh…ahhh…mmm. Yum.

I am creating beautiful music with the earth, here now!

Image: This illustration “Satellite” by David Burk illustrates the straddling of energy beautifully.